Mark Williams beats Mark Selby in thrilling Masters opener

World number one Mark Selby was made to rue missed chances as Mark Williams a completed a dramatic comeback to cause an early shock in this year’s Masters.

Mark Williams. Picture by Monique Limbos

Selby looked on course for a solid 6-3 win over his Welsh opponent but the match turned when he suffered an unfortunate kick when aiming to pot the penultimate red in the ninth frame.

Instead, Williams cleared to make it 5-4 before he forced a decider by winning the tenth frame comfortably.

Despite Williams making a strong start in the final frame decider it looked like reigning world champion Selby would overcome his opponent’s fightback but a tricky red along the bottom cushion failed to find its target and was left hanging over the pocket for Williams who then cleared his way to seal a 6-5 win.

Williams, who won the Northern Ireland Open in November, will next face either Barry Hawkins or Kyren Wilson in the quarter-finals of The Masters. The match will be held on Friday.

It means Selby has suffered early exit defeats in the last two Triple Crown events – The Masters and UK Championship.